Congress uses Telangana funds for ads in Maharashtra, triggers criticism

The move is evoking strong criticism from many sections as people are questioning the rationale behind spending Telangana funds for Maharashtra elections

Hyderabad: The Congress government, which has been claiming that Telangana was reeling under severe debts and that it was struggling to implement welfare and development programmes, is using State funds for issuing advertisements in leading publications in poll-bound Maharashtra.

In fact, there have been instances where Ministers repeatedly cited financial constraints for implementation of different welfare and development programmes.

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In sharp contrast to these claims, advertisements are being issued in different leading publications in Maharashtra ahead of the elections there, boasting about the fulfillment of different promises made to the people in Telangana.

The move is evoking strong criticism from many sections as people are questioning the rationale behind spending Telangana funds for Maharashtra elections.

Sharing the images of advertisements on X, entrepreneur Nayini Anurag Reddy said: “Telangana’s public funds are being spent on Maharashtra election. At a time when Congress ministers claim they don’t have funds to complete Runa Mafi & Rythu Bandhu, Telangana government is spending tens of crores on advertisements in Maharashtra…”

“I&PR Minister Ponguleti garu, who was seen crying over Rs.50 crore spent on Formula-E racing to build Hyderabad’s brand image, should clarify how many tens of crores have been spent on advertising in other states for the benefit of the Congress party,” he said.

“These ads claim completion of Runa Mafi, interest-free loans to self-help groups, 50,000 jobs & Indiramma houses. Ironically, not a single one of these promises has been fulfilled,” Anurag Reddy posted on X.

‘Telangana’s public funds are being spent on Maharashtra election’ 🚨

At a time when Congress ministers claim they don’t have funds to complete Runa Mafi & Rythu Bandhu, #Telangana govt is spending tens of crores on advertisements in #Maharashtra.

I&PR Minister Ponguleti garu,… pic.twitter.com/e4VhDhwUfD

— Nayini Anurag Reddy (@NAR_Handle) November 12, 2024

Echoing similar opinion, Sudheer Rao, another X user said: “Public funds should serve the people, not politics. Spending Telangana’s resources on Maharashtra ads and what benefits Telangana people will get with these ads?”